Thanks you two, very much. I was doing so well up until that evening. Work stress is my number one trigger. That's the thing that can make me feel most like a failure, when I'm trying to be creative/efficient and it's not working.

Manda you're right that I need to put more energy into motivating myself to relieve stress and be pull free. It's more effort, sure, but the results are undoubtedly worth it.

Ok today will be a better day, and tonight will be a better night.

ha ha I know you are in Australia it's just CRAZY to think you're a whole day ahead of us! Hmm but I guess you guys also have an east coast technically speaking... but no east coast version of Bigge! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EVT5ONR0w0

I know exactly what you mean by shame, regret, horror, failure, which always feels strongest in the evenings..... Work is my number one trigger as well. I feel like such a loser so much of the time. Especially when I am trying to focus and write/work/do ANYTHING and somehow I just end up on Youtube pulling hair cuz I'm like, "oh, I deserve a break, this soothes me."

Anyway, sometimes I look at this and it helps me feel better about work-related issues http://imgur.com/gallery/zjhlK

Haha I'm a time traveller alright. Ooh I dunno, definitely nowhere near him but there sure are a few wannabees.

Yeah, I end up reading "I deserve this break'.. Uh a lot of the time, I don't. I think I spend half my day procrastinating sometimes.

Hehe cool, the Elsa thing. I found her character annoying though. If there was one of those with the snowman..

Ok well I did very well yesterday, only pulled a few during the day (had bandaids on all day after buying them). Then I took them off to do the washing up before bed. And then when I went to bed I said to myself "I don't want to put more on, so if I pull one hair, I'll put them on". Well I pulled one "oh it's just one". I pulled another "oh it was a loose one" etc etc. Prob pulled about 10. So, lesson learned. Bandaids to bed.

Today might be the day! I'm gradually feeling stronger.

Sounds like you are doing better! Don't worry about using bandaids all the time for now...you'll stop needing them when stress levels go down.

Procrastination is a life long battle. I wish I knew how to fight it. Zenhabits is a blog with some of the best advice I've seen about improving focus and fighting procrastination. That being said sometimes I end up procrastinating by reading about how to stop procrastination....

I think today WILL be the day for you!! I WAS PULL FREE TODAY..... ZOMG.

IF I CAN GO FROM PULLING 150 HAIRS IN ONE DAY TO ZERO HAIRS THE NEXT DAY THEN TRULY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TODAY IS THE DAY FOR YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BooYah - "That being said sometimes I end up procrastinating by reading about how to stop procrastination...." I DO THAT TOO. Congrats on your pf day, and thaaanks!

Manda, thank you :) I think I am. Still very stressed and busy (but who isn't these days?) But I'm not so emotionally all over the place as I was a couple of weeks ago.

I've pulled 3 hairs today (yes even with bandaids on). But that's pretty darn good, I'm determined to keep it at 3 :)

Have you tried Progressive Relaxation?
This is a way of releasing tension in muscles. It is often taught in yoga and exercise classes, on self-help tapes, and by various instructors, from massage therapists to psychologists.
Begin by lying down on your back in a comfortable position. Take a series of deep slow breaths and then focus your awareness on different parts of the body in turn, becoming aware of any muscular tension and releasing it. One way to do this is to first tense a muscle deliberately and then relax it. You can start with the front of the body, tensing and relaxing the muscles of the upper face, then moving on to the jaw, neck, chest, front of the arms, abdomen, thighs, lower legs, feet, and toes. Then do the same down the back of the body. Finally, lie content, secure, and centered. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and picture yourself back there. Try to make the image bright and clear and try to hear, feel, and smell the surroundings too. How long you focus on it is less important than how regularly you do it. If you spend a few minutes every day practicing your visualization, you will reap greater benefits than if you spend an hour at it every so often.
The best times for practice are the transition states between sleeping and waking. Just before falling asleep and just after waking up, try to concentrate on your peaceful image. At these times it passes more easily into your unconscious mind, where it can relax your nervous system and body. Of course, try it during the day, too, especially if external stress gets you down and you become aware of internal tension.
Hugs!!

Only pulling 3 is great! Oh, and I have tried the technique Nabby just mentioned, it is useful!

3 IS great. Unfortunately it turned into a few more than 3. Say.. 10, or 15. Put bandaids on first thing today but it's as if they're not even there. Have been pulling, I'd say 15-20 already (it's 3 pm). I am improving, I can tell. I just have to work harder. Barriers are not enough, I need to make a commitment not to pull also.

Thanks for the tip Nabby, I've heard of it before. I'll try it.

I think I need to focus on wellness, stress management, and health as well as being committed to doing this. Haha very overwhelming, so one thing at a time!

Baby steps.. just switch up one thing each day...I like to have a health booklet that I can add to or delete from as I change things in my overall health and wellness cycles. Its helpful to keep track of what works for you and what your body responds to versus what doesn't.
Keep strong....

Yes, one thing at a time.

Focus on Awareness. Once you are Aware, try to have the presence of mind to block the pull. Sitting on your hand(s) is very effective & easy. Put on a hat or scarf. Switch up the type of barrier that you awe using. It seems that trich has outsmarted the band aids for now. xo

wow, I am totally going to try nabby's relaxation recommendation. i am super tense right now and can't sleep! (it's four a.m. over here.... UGH! usually i only ever want to be awake at this hour if I am at some super fun dance party, not at home in bed!)

wishing you good luck and positive vibes sam as you continue trying out these different techniques to help you! if i think of anything good i will try to share....

I agree with Phoebe that a new technique might be in order if the band aids are not as effective anymore. You can do it!

GO AWAY STRESS, YOU'RE TAKING ALL MY HAIR!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Nabby, yep one thing at a time. A health book sounds great. I'm going to try that :)

Thanks Phoebe, yes awareness. Good point. I do need to step that up A LOT. And you're right about switching up barriers too. thanks :)

Ha BooYah, I couldn't sleep last night either. Not 4am bad though. Thanks for the offer!

Thank you Manda, I agree with that too :)

maybe it would be helpful to make a list of all the barriers you have tried so far? at the end of the day it is just about finding a replacement behavior for your hands, isn't it....

this is the only stress ball that ever worked for me, it's kind of weird but fun. definitely got some attention in my office! there was something about the texture that my hands found really soothing.... plus you can't beat the price! http://www.officeplayground.com/Sticky-Brain-Stress-Toy-P2599.aspx